The Digital Applications Sector aims to make railway information usable across complex and historically fragmented systems. A core priority is federating existing data models: many models have been developed independently for infrastructure, rolling stock, operations and other domains, with limited interoperability. Through the Rail System Model (RSM) as a common interface, supported by OntoRail and semantic modelling work, it seeks to enable these models to communicate without replacing them. This provides the foundations needed for digital twins, consistent data sharing, and cross-system applications.
Other activities include traction energy settlement and data exchange, and practical investigations into artificial intelligence, including predictive maintenance and the scalability, transferability and explainability of AI models beyond pilot projects.
The sector also leads UIC's progressive initiative to introduce AI into its internal professional activities, from knowledge management and drafting to more demanding technical work. The approach is intended to support the work of experts, with appropriate governance and human validation.
